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The truth of Rotavirus vaccine

popcornqueen wrote:

Since there has been a lot of misinformation spread about Rotavirus vaccine on more than one thread, I thought I would start a new thread with accurate, sourced information. I invite others to share links to reputable information so we can all learn the truth.

“One, it's a virus so I would much prefer she build natural immunity to something like that.”

Rebuttal: What science is there that says “building ‘natural’ immunity” to viruses is better than vaccine-induced immunity? None. The Polio vaccine; the Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine; the influenza vaccine; all Hepatitis vaccines; and the Varicella vaccine are all also aimed at viruses.

“2, the vaccine isn't as effective over time and you have to keep getting boosters but the more you get them the less effective they are.”

Rebuttal: RotaTeq® has been tested in two phase III trials, including a large scale clinical trial of more than 70,000 infants enrolled primarily in the US and Finland. The efficacy of 3 doses of RotaTeq® against G1-G4 rotavirus gastroenteritis of any severity was 74% and against severe G1-G4 rotavirus gastroenteritis was 98%.

The vaccine is given as a series of two or three doses (depending on brand used) and no “boosters” are given.

Rebuttal: Addressed previously by BmonsterBroham: “The prevalence of intussusception in the U.S. Is 1 in every 2000 live births. 1-2 in 100,000 is extremely low. The vaccine named Rotashield was the one was found to have an associated risk is no longer on the market. The current vaccine that is given Rotateq has shown no more of an increased risk, there was a large trial done ( over 60,000 infants) with it and a placebo. The infants who received the vaccine actually had less cases of intussusception. It is still listed on the VIS sheets because there is a very small risk.”

“Also a higher chance of other intestinal issues as they get older like lactose intolerance etc”

Rebuttal: “Lactose intolerance can sometimes occur for a period of time after rotavirus infection. It is known as 'secondary' or 'acquired' lactose intolerance. Your child's gut (intestine) lining can be damaged by the episode of gastroenteritis. This leads to a lack of an enzyme called lactase that is needed to help the body digest the milk sugar lactose. Lactose intolerance leads to bloating, tummy (abdominal) pain, wind and watery stools (faeces) after drinking milk. The condition gets better when the infection is over and the intestinal lining heals.”

“her doctor essentially said if we don't get the vaccine the worst case IF she were to catch it is she gets dehydrated from the diarrhea and needs an IV of fluids. But the chances of that happening were low.”

Rebuttal: The reason a child in the US is unlikely to contract rotavirus at this time is because of high rates of vaccination. “During the pre-rotavirus vaccine era, four of five children in the US had symptomatic rotavirus gastroenteritis, one in seven required a clinic or emergency department (ED) visit, one in 70 was hospitalized, and one in 200,000 would die from this disease, within the first 5 years of life.”

So, the worst case, is death which is rare, but hospitalization due to severe illness was not rare at all.

“Rotavirus is the most common virus causing gastroenteritis in children in the UK. Almost every child in the UK has a rotavirus infection before they are 5 years old. Around 18,000 children are thought to be admitted to hospital each year in England and Wales because of rotavirus infection. Most children with rotavirus infection do not need admission to hospital. About 1 child in 10 who has rotavirus infection needs to be admitted to hospital.”

Very well put. Thank you for providing the source of your information! So many times people state information but are unwilling or unable to provide cited resources for that information. It makes things so much easier when we know where the information is coming from!

Thank you!! As a pharmacist it makes me so mad when people make claims without anything concrete to back it up. Thanks for sharing source information so moms on the fence can read the facts instead of all the misinformation/opinions of people trying to spread fear.

I don't even know you and I love you :) is it only me? I can't speak for anyone else but I was born in a third-world country. Vaccines literally saved lives. I have family members who have had polio and TB and we are in the 21st century. Maybe having understood the risk I am much more pro-vaccine or maybe it's because I'm a teacher and I want to protect myself and my baby from germs and anything I could possibly pass to him but rely on herd immunity will only get you so far. We even posted on Facebook when we came home with my son that if you didn't have your flu, MMR, or TDAP shots you were not holding him or coming over. I feel like it's just common sense.

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nicstx

We'll said with proper references. I wish more people would post like this

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